Behind the Scenes at Christmas

1. When do different operations teams begin preparing for the festive period?

Much like elves, our Supply Chain and Manufacturing teams start planning for Christmas long before the first New Year’s resolution has even been broken. Every January, we gather the lessons learnt and put a structure in place that covers every consideration for the year ahead. By August, we’re focusing on the finer details, working closely with our customers and suppliers to confirm their festive plans and schedules so we can manage demand.

2. What changes most behind the scenes when Christmas demand increases?

Christmas brings the biggest shift in demand we all see, setting the rhythm for our entire year. Fridge space for dairy shrinks as people make room for festive feast favourites. The moment turkeys vanish from supermarket shelves, health-conscious products reclaim their spot, and we see a surge in demand. This is why we plan months in advance to keep shelves brimming with our more indulgent and seasonal favourites, like Double Cream in December, and our more health-conscious products like Kefir and Greek Recipe for the new year..

3. How do the teams – from Engineering to Packing – keep production lines running smoothly in the face of increased demand?

It takes a full team effort to keep the magic alive. Forecasting and planning start early, so we can predict demand and stock build before the holiday season hits. Our dairy supply team work with over 100 organic farmers to ensure that the milk and other raw products keep flowing. Site and Engineering crews work like Santa’s helpers to upgrade equipment and prepare for changing order days and seasonal launches. Warehousing and Logistics handle huge swings in storage needs. By planning early and pulling together, we keep the production lines humming throughout the festive season.

4. If the teams could invent a Yeo Christmas product, what would it be?

Christmas Pudding Yogurt, or Yeo Ho Ho Pudding.

5. Which products keep the teams busiest in December

Alongside other festive favourites, our Creams take centre stage at this time of year. Their short shelf life means we’re working at full pelt to fulfil demand and guarantee freshness in every spoonful. At the same time, Natural Yogurt sneaks onto the list as customers gear up for their health kick in the new year. It’s a merry mix of indulgence and good intentions, and we make sure we’re ready and waiting when the time comes.

6. What are the biggest challenges you are facing in operations at Christmas?

We manage a huge range of products, some of which can only be made on a specific site, by a specific machine. We also want to make sure the team has time to enjoy the festivities with their loved ones, which means taking out around 100 hours of production. On top of all that, we flex to each customer's individual shutdowns and changing order days while juggling high order variances. You can see why we have to start planning in January; it takes meticulous planning and teamwork across all corners of the business.

7. Is there anything surprising that needs to happen in operations so Christmas goes without a hitch?

Behind the scenes there’s plenty of planning to make the season sparkle. Our operational processes stay consistent throughout the year, yet we add a sprinkle of extra detail to ensure everything runs smoothly. We also coordinate one of the most important tasks of the year, making sure our teams across Yeo Valley receive their Christmas hampers full of Yeo goodies. It’s a small touch, but it helps everyone enjoy the celebrations.

8. What songs would the different teams add to the Operations Christmas playlist?

Silent Warehouse or All I want for Christmas is Yeo.